Eric Bailly’s journey from the streets of Bingerville, Ivory Coast, to the European football stage is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in the same town as legendary Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba, Eric’s passion for the sport ignited at a young age. His early life was shaped by the vibrant football culture of his community, but it was also marked by hardship and determination.
Despite coming from a humble background, Eric never let his circumstances deter him from pursuing his dream. From the age of seven, football became his escape and ambition. However, life in Bingerville wasn’t just about kicking a ball around. To support his family financially, young Eric took up a job at a telephone booth in Abidjan, juggling work and football while still attending school. It was a balancing act that demonstrated his commitment and resilience from an early age.
Rising From Drogba’s Hometown: Eric Bailly’s Inspiring Journey.
Preamble:
Like many young African footballers, Eric dreamed of making it to Europe, where he believed he could elevate his game and secure a better future for his family. His big break came in 2011 when he participated in a West African youth tournament in Burkina Faso. Eric’s outstanding performance in all matches caught the attention of international scouts, and he was offered the chance to play in Europe—a dream come true for the dedicated young athlete.
This biography not only covers Eric’s rise to prominence on the football field but also delves into his personal life, including his choice to marry Vanessa Troupah Bailly, a woman from his own ethnic background, rather than someone outside his culture. His story is one of staying true to his roots, whether it’s in his personal choices or his quirky habit of wearing old-fashioned, uncomfortable footwear—a ritual that connects him to his past.
Now, let’s explore the full story of Eric Bailly, a man whose journey from modest beginnings to international football fame is a testament to his resilience, unwavering determination and love for the game.
Eric Bailly Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
We present the Full Story of a Defender best known by the nickname “The Beast“. For Biography starters, his full names are Eric Bertrand Bailly. Eric Bailly, as he is often called, was born on the 12th of April 1994 to his parents, Mr and Mrs Bailly (pictured below) in Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire.
Meet Eric Bailly’s Parents, who are very proud of his achievements in life.
Eric Bailly grew up with his family; parents, brothers and sisters in Bingerville, the hometown of Legendary Didier Drogba. Since the days of Didier Drogba, Bingerville has remained a suburb where emptiness ends for little boys when football is on their feet. A young Eric Bailly was not left out.
Bailly had humble beginnings in Bingerville, Ivory Coast.
Telephone Booth Story:
Eric Bailly first started playing competitive football at the age of 7 while he was still in primary school. After completing his primary education, during his teenage years, he took on the responsibility of managing a telephone booth in Abidjan, the economic capital of the Ivory Coast.
From kicking off his football journey at age 7 in primary school to managing a telephone box in Abidjan during his teens, Eric Bailly’s path to stardom was anything but ordinary.
Each day after the close of business, Bailly, who was trusted by his employers, would empty out the change (monies) in his telephone. Eric once recalled;
“In Africa, there are families that live in much more difficult financial situations but, yes, as a child I was bold enough to start working,”
Eric earned very little money in the process before going on trials with other hopefuls as he pursued his big dream of playing in Europe as a professional footballer. Bailly left his telephone job in a bid to pursue a local football contract.
Aside from his parents, his only means of sustenance was through his girlfriend, Vanessa Troupah, thanks to her phone call business. Details of their love story are found in the next section.
About Eric Bailly’s Wife – Vanessa Troupah:
Being in a relationship has always been an important aspect of Eric Bailly’s life. Vanessa Troupah (pictured below) has been the love of his life since the days he was poor.
Meet Eric Bailly’s Wife, Vanessa Troupah.
Eric Bailly married his longtime girlfriend Vanessa Troupah in June 2016, just days after signing a four-year contract with Manchester United worth £30 million.
Although the wedding was private and understated, several local journalists managed to uncover details about Bailly’s wife and her social standing.
The wedding was between Eric Bailly and his wife, Vanessa Troupah.
The most notable detail about Vanessa is that she once operated a roadside mobile phone kiosk while her boyfriend Bailly pursued local football contracts.
Following their wedding, rumors circulated questioning how a professional in the English Premier League could be connected to a local Ivorian woman earning less than $3 a day from her phone business.
Vanessa Troupah’s Response:
Vanessa provided a straightforward reply, saying she would share her thoughts when the time was right. Eventually, she opened up about her relationship with Eric Bailly, sharing some heartfelt moments.
“I met Eric while I was running a roadside mobile phone kiosk in Abidjan,” she said. “We didn’t meet in a bar, on a plane, or at a festival. He discovered me at my kiosk, where I also sold biscuits. At that time, Eric was just an ordinary guy who would make calls on credit.”
“Today, he’s an international footballer and a professional. I’m not saying you need to run a mobile phone kiosk to meet your future husband. I just want to encourage young women to find something meaningful to do, work hard, and support their partners to help them succeed in life.”
Vanessa Troupah’s Sacrifice:
During these times, Vanessa took care of logistics for her man when he had no money. She paid Eric Bailly’s transport fares to and from training sessions.
Though she didn’t have much, she had to sacrifice the little she had because she loved him very much and wanted him to succeed.
As of the time of writing, the couple together has a son, and as of March 6, 2017, Bailly’s wife Vanessa was pregnant.
Eric Bailly Shoe:
Bailly is more of an old-fashioned personality, thanks to his terrible footwear. Pictured below, this is the show he wears to the dressing room. It was Juan Mata and Ashley Young that got the world to know about his shoe as they posted it on Instagram.
What was going on with Eric Bailly's shoes earlier this week? Ashley Young tries his best to explain… #MUFC https://t.co/h201W6Eeoy
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2016
Personal Life:
Eric Bailly is known to be short-tempered, but we reckon Jose Mourinho is someone who would never sign anyone he cannot handle.
Early Dreams:
Just like many other kids in Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire, Bailly actually grew up dreaming of becoming the next Didier Drogba.
However, his plans to become a striker failed as he observed it wasn’t a natural thing for him.
Bailly realised his future was in the area of defending after seeing himself seamlessly stopping any opponent who dribbled past him.
He immediately switched from studying Didier Drogba to Sergio Ramos, whom he later considered his idol.
Bailly, while in his mid-teenage years, continued to play local top-flight, hoping he would earn a decent living without any thought of Europe.
At that time, he trained with several teams, travelling from one part of the city to another in pursuit of a contract.
Eric Bailly Biography – Rise to Fame:
The year 2011 was a miraculous one for Bailly, who got the opportunity to play competitive football in a youth tournament in Burkina Faso.
At the youth tournament, he got spotted by Espanyol scouts who were out to look for young rugged defenders from Africa.
Bailly, who was only 17 years old at that time, met their expectations. He was quickly taken to RCD Espanyol in Barcelona, where he joined their youth system.
A delay in receiving a work permit made Bailly wait for ten months before he was allowed to play for Espanyol’s B-team in the Segunda Division.
Thanks to his hard work and dedication, Bailly’s talent grew as he was awarded the youngest defender, who was dribbled past fewer times than any of the regular central defenders in Spain’s top four clubs.
Bailly’s impressive starts dusted the likes of his idol Sergio Ramos, Diego Godin and Gerard Pique. It took no time before he became a La Liga lynchpin and a defensive problem for Lionel Messi.
During his time at Espanyol, Eric Bailly became a prominent figure in the Derbi Barceloní, the name given to the intense football matches between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol.
After only five matches with Espanyol, Villarreal bought Bailly. It was at the club he got noticed by The Special One, Jose Mourinho, who became the manager of United.
On 8 June 2016, Bailly became the first player signed by José Mourinho. Since joining the club, he had impressed. As of 2024, Eric enjoys a solid defensive partnership with Willy Kambwala in his Villarreal team. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Fact Check:
Thanks for reading our Eric Bailly Childhood Story, plus untold biography facts. We strive for accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver you the stories of African footballers. Surely, reading the Life History of Sofyan Amrabat and Frank Anguissa will excite you. If you see something that doesn’t look right in this article, please leave a comment or contact us!
